A teenaged couple allegedly attempted suicide by slitting their wrist, police said today.
A 16-year-old boy slit his wrist yesterday after he saw his alleged girlfriend playing Holi with his friends, they said.
Following this incident, the 14-year-old girl also cut her wrist, police said, adding, the couple have been admitted to a hospital.
According to the local residents, the couple was having an affair from the past one year, they added.
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Responding to the public outcry against the incident,
Kerala DGP Loknath Behera today said he had ordered an inquiry into the matter and it will be probed by IGP Manoj Abraham.
In a Facebook post, he said police needed to ensure the safety and security of people without infringing on their privacy and constitutional rights.
"Police is a law enforcement agency. It is not the moral keeper of the society. Therefore, we in the police should be aware about our duties and responsibilities.
"The bottom line is that we should interact with the people for whom we are working to ensure their safety and security, without infringing on their privacy and their constitutional rights," he said.
"Law of the land is very clear. No one has the right to disturb or harass any couple anywhere more so in public places," Behera said.
In India, self-restraint is imposed on public display of affection due to our culture and tradition, though there is no legal ban on the same. Many people do not support such public display of affection and call up police, the official said.
"The police cannot ignore such calls, therefore, they reach the place and after reaching the place they must act according to law with all politeness," Behera said, adding it was also the police's duty to ensure that under-aged girls do not get trapped and become victims of crimes.
